State utility EVN has said that although its power output is set to increase by 17.63 percent this year, there will be a serious supply shortage of between 3-4 billion kilowatt hours.

The anticipated shortfall in power supply is high compared to the shortage of 1 billion kWh in 2010.

EVN said the increased production will not be able to keep pace with an 18.3 percent increase in demand during the dry season alone.

The utility's subsidiaries around the country have said they are planning regular power cuts starting at the end of this month to save power.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade has said that power cuts are inevitable this year. It has also said large power consumers including steel and cement producers are the ones who need to cut back on their consumption first.